Commemoration of the visit of Louis-Philippe, Queen Marie-Amélie and the Royal children to the Mint 1833

Jean-Jacques Barre created this silver medal to commemorate the visit of King Louis-Philippe and Queen Marie-Amélie to the French Mint. The medal is an explicit piece of political imagery, using allegory and portraiture to bolster the image of the French monarchy during a time of great social upheaval. Made in France, the medal presents the King and Queen in profile, surrounded by symbols of royalty, such as crowns and angelic figures. It visually connects the monarchy to the authority of both church and state. Given its date, we might consider the Revolution of 1848, which forced Louis-Philippe to abdicate the throne and brought an end to the July Monarchy. The piece might be seen as an effort to shore up support for the monarchy by connecting it to previous cultural touchstones. Art historians can use sources such as political pamphlets, newspaper articles, and other forms of popular media to better understand the reception of this and similar artworks during this period. The meaning of this medal is bound to the specific social and institutional context in which it was produced.